While we cannot change the fact that there are considerable expenses involved in adopting internationally, we are concerned that the expenses often make adopting prohibitive for wonderful families willing to share their heart and home with a child.  We want you to know that there is good news for adoptive parents!  Because of raised awareness of adoption and the efforts of many agencies, legislators, company executives, and adoptive parents – more funding and resources are available today than ever before.   

Chuck Grbich, is a financial planner with A.G. Edwards and Children of the World, Inc. adoptive parent who sponsors seminars in Missouri on how you can afford your adoption.  Click here for details as to dates and times.

Free Information Booklet    The National Endowment for Financial Education has prepared a free 78 page booklet titled "How to Make Adoption an Affordable Option".  The booklet was prepared to inform adoptive parents about the range of financial assistance options that may be available. The booklet is available at no cost by sending an email to the National Adoption Information Clearing House (NAIC), or you may download the booklet from the National Endowment for Financial Education NEFE Website.

Federal Tax Credit   Effective January 2, 2002, the Federal Tax Credit has been increased to $10,000 per child.  For general tax questions please visit the IRS Law Website.  This tax credit has been updated to $10,150.

Employer Adoption Benefits   There are presently many corporations who offer Adoption Assistance Programs (AAPs) and/or Adoption Benefits Packages (ABPs). These programs often include partial reimbursement for adoption expenses ranging from $2000 to $10,000 and possibly additional “family leave".  Click Here to see a partial listing of companies which offer Adoption Benefits.

If your employer does not presently offer an AAP or ABP, you may want to contact The National Adoption Foundation at 1-800-TO-ADOPT or visit The National Adoption Foundation website to request the "Advocating for Adoption Benefits" sample benefits package to present to your employer.   Adoption benefits are considered good personnel practice, and qualified adoption plans receive favorable treatment from the IRS on the companies tax returns. You may also use our form letter to write to your employer to request additional adoption benefits.  The submission of the completed form letter may convince your employer to add adoption benefits to their benefits package.  Click Here to view a document that you may edit for submission to your employer.  

Many families have been successful in having their employers adopt a wonderful Adoption Benefits Package!

Certain California residents who adopt are now going to be eligible for 6 weeks of paid leave from their employers under a progressive new law.  California is the first state in the country to create a such a comprehensive paid family leave program, and we hope this version is soon followed by other states.  While current state and federal law guarantee 12 weeks of unpaid leave for those working for larger employers, California's new law guarantees that 6 of those weeks would be paid. If you are a California resident, visit the "Labor Project for Working Families" website for more information.

Corporate Matching Gifts  These programs may be considered part of your employer's adoption assistance program or a separate program where your employer may match certain monies paid and/or charitable donations paid to an international adoption agency to help complete your adoption.

Military Non-recurring Program  There is a one-time subsidy program available to full-time military personnel. Although the amounts are subject to change, currently adoptive families can receive up to $2000 per child or $5000 maximum for siblings for adoption related expenses.  Reimbursement is made only after the adoption is finalized and only if the adoption was completed through a state licensed public or private non-profit adoption agency.  NOTE:  You can not claim this reimbursement if you work with a private attorney, a for-profit licensed adoption agency or facilitator to complete your adoption. 

Non-recurring Federal Adoption Program  There is a one-time federal adoption subsidy, administered by the states, to include foreign-born children adopted by US Citizens. Amounts vary by state up to $2,000 per child and require that the child meet state criteria for subsidy.  Many states, whether or not they allow the Federal Subsidy, also offer a State Tax Credit for adoption. Some states will require that the child possess a special need to qualify for this assistance. Many internationally adopted children may still qualify. Be persistent, every little bit helps.  To learn more about your specific state requirements, ask your home study social worker or contact the NACAC’s Adoption Subsidy Resource Center at 800-470-6665.

Adoption Grants & Interest Free Loans

A Child Waits Foundation  A Child Waits Foundation is a non-profit, charitable foundation that makes low cost loans to families adopting internationally.  Eligibility to obtain a loan is based on financial need and each case is judged individually.  Information about the foundation and application forms can be found on the A Child Waits website, by calling 866-999-2445 or by sending an email to the A Child Waits Foundation.

Acres of Hope  Acres of Hope is a non-profit charitable foundation dedicated to providing educational information, emotional support, parent-to-parent support, advocacy services, financial assistance, and a loan program of items helpful to families dealing with children of physical and emotional challenges.  In addition, their mission is to promote greater community understanding, acceptance and support for families involved in adopting special needs children cross-racially and cross-culturally.  You can visit the Acres of Hope website or you can contact them at:

Acres of Hope, Inc.

Patty Anglin, Executive Director

Route 1, Box 97

Mason, WI 54856

Tel: (715) 765-4118

You can also send Acres of Hope an email.

Christian Adoption Resources  Christian Adoption Resources is a grant organization based in Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania.  You can visit the Christian Adoption Resources website or you can contact them at:

Christian Adoption Resources, Inc.

P.O. Box 253

Mount Joy, PA 17552

Tel:  (717) 492-1868

Gift of Adoption Fund  Applicants who apply to the Gift of Adoption Fund must have an approved home study and who demonstrate financial need.  Gift of Adoption Fund usually gives a preference to applicants who are experiencing extraordinary hardship (i.e. adopting a medical needs child and/or situational hardship on the part of the parents or child).  Grant amounts vary between $2,000-$5,000.  Applicants are reviewed and grants are awarded monthly.  You may apply for a grant up to 3 times.  A one-time twenty dollar application fee is required.  Information about the Gift of Adoption Fund can be found on the Gift of Adoption Fund website, by calling 877-905-ADOP (2367) or by sending an email to the Gift of Adoption Fund.  

Ibsen Adoption Network  Ibsen Adoption Network is a private, Christian, non-profit organization that is dedicated to encouraging the adoption of special needs children through education, support and financial assistance to families who live in Washington State.  Grants average $1500 per family.  You may contact the Ibsen Adoption Network at:

Ibsen Adoption Network

2730 French Road NW

Olympia, WA 98502

Tel: (360) 866-7036

Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries  Kingdom Kids Ministries is a non profit ministry that assists families with raising money for adoption expenses.  Kingdom Kids Ministries program is unique in that, unlike traditional grant programs they can help almost every family who applies.  You may visit their website for more information or contact them at:
Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries
1417 North Lincoln
Spokane, WA 99201
Tel: (509) 465-3520  

Target Corporation  Target employees who reach a Level 3 at their jobs are entitled to apply for a $3000 adoption grant from the Target Corporation.  Their retail divisions include Target, Marshall Field’s, and Mervyn Department Stores.

JSW Adoption Foundation  The JSW Foundation is a non-profit foundation established to assist potential adoptive parents by providing cash grants to subsidize a portion of the costs of adoption.  Grants of $3,000 or more are awarded on a monthly basis.  Preference is given to childless couples with an income under $35,000.  Applications must be received by the last day of the month.  All applicants will be notified in writing within 30 days. Any parent or parents wishing to adopt a child, can apply for a JSW Adoption Foundation Grant.  Grants are reviewed and awarded on the following criteria:

1. Agency approval: Applicants must be qualified to adopt a child in the state in which they
   reside. This approval must be documented by the agency they are working with.

2. Financial need: Only applicants who demonstrate financial need will be considered.

3. Childless Applicants: Although applicants who have children will not automatically be excluded, those who have no children will be given preference.

4. Hardship: Preference will be given to those applicants who are experiencing extraordinary hardship.

You can contact the JSW Adoption Foundation at 877-905-2367 or 414-268-1386 for an application.

Gift of Adoption Fund:  Formerly JSW Foundation

101 East Pier Street, First Floor

Port Washington, WI 53074

Tel: (877) 905-ADOPT or (262) 268-1386.

National Adoption Foundation:  Offering grants and loans.  The grant program is open to all legal adoptions including public or private agency adoptions, international, special needs or adoptions facilitated by an attorney.  There is no income requirement.  There is a simple one-page application and the only requirement to apply is a homestudy, or one in progress.  The foundations board meets four times yearly, during the last week of each quarter, to award grants in amounts ranging from $500 to $4,000.  The mission of the National Adoption Foundation is to encourage pre-adoptive parents and children to come together, grow and flourish.  The National Adoption Foundation also offers unsecured loans, credit cards and deposit products to aid families with the expenses associated with adopting and raising children.  You can contact the National Adoption Foundation at (203) 791-3811.

God’s Grace Adoption Ministry:  Offering adoption grants of $1,000 to $4,000 and interest free loans to Christian families residing throughout the United States.  Married couples preferred.  Applicants do not have to be childless to be eligible for grant approval.  Approximate grant review approval period is two months. 

Tel: (209) 572-4539

Love Knows No Borders:  Love Knows No Borders was founded in 2000 in an effort to assist with the costs of domestic and international adoption. Love Knows No Borders is an organization that believes that financial concerns need not serve as an obstacle to individuals and couples willing to open their hearts to a child through adoption.  To apply, send a self addressed stamped (use two stamps, please) envelope to:

Love Knows No Borders

500 B Monroe Turnpike

PO Box 350

Monroe, CT 06468 

Interest Free Loans Only (no grants)

Jacob Free Loan Foundation: The Jacob Free Loan Foundation is located in Springfield, Massachusetts.  The Jacob Free Loan Foundation offers interest free loans of up to $5,000.  The loans are available to Jewish members of the community for education, adoption or employment related expenses.

Tel: (413) 737-2601

Jewish Free Loan Association:  The Jewish Free Loan Association provides interest free loans for adoption.  The contact person at Jewish Free Loan Association is Mr. Mark Meltzer

Tel: (323) 761-8830

Hebrew Free Loan Society - NY  The Hebrew Free Loan Society is a non-sectarian program for residents of metropolitan New York as well as Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk Counties in New York. The Hebrew Free Loan Society provides loans up to $5,000 for adoption related expenses. The loans are interest-free if paid within twenty months. Requirements include a minimum annual income of $25,000 and must work at the same job for over two years.  You may also provide proof of steady self-employment. The Hebrew Free Loan Society application is followed by an in-person interview. Decisions are made by the The Hebrew Free Loan Society within 3 weeks.

Tel: (212) 687-0188.

Hebrew Free Loan Society –CA  Interest free loans are available to Jewish residents in San Francisco, the East Bay, South Bay, and in Sacramento, California who wish to adopt children internationally or domestically.  A single person or couple, after demonstrating need, may borrow up to $10,000 toward the expenses incurred for the adoption of a child (further support may be available in special circumstances).  The repayment schedule for loans up to $5,000 is a three-year term.  The repayment for loans between $5,000 and $10,000 is a five-year term.

Tel: (415) 546-9902

grants

Open Arms Children's Charities  This group was formed in July of 2004.  Their main focus is to be of assistance to those trying to adopt by offering adoption grants and support to those adopting older or special needs children.  Their adoption grant program is open to all families with an approved homestudy.  Grants are awarded each quarter on September 15th, December 15th, March 15th, and June 15th.  If you are interested in visiting the Open Arms Children's Charities website, Click Here.

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